Thanks everyone. I have worked very hard to acquire good dogs and have a good breeding program. i am just a country gal so i am sure my way of doing things is a little different from most of you guys but the end result is still the same. quality and beautiful, well-taken care of dogs.

Let me first say, I have nothing against reputable, responsible companion breeders. I do have a problem with back yard breeders that have made breeding dogs and popping out litter after litter their career. Also, calling the puppies that show breeders place in companion homes, "culls" is unbelievable! Show breeders breed for as close to perfection as possible. We all know, no dog is perfect....every puppy in every litter is not always what is to be considered "show quality". but these puppies are far from being "culls"! Show breeders puppies that are placed in companion homes are generally less expensive than many companion breeders. Their interest is in placing their puppies in the best forever homes possible. It's quality...not quantity. Also, the show breeders that I know and know of, have started with the best possible show puppy they could find and gone from there. Although, it does happen, someone just "lucking up", rarely happens. I have also seen puppies advertised on here that were much more expensive than even show quality. "Rare", "Tiny","Designer" "AKC" (which should just be a given).
Handlers... when you factor in the price of traveling these days, are not that expensive. If you have a good dog, it does not take long for someone that is expertise in putting a dog in the ring to finish one. Most reputable handlers will not keep a dog if it has not finished in 6 months unless there are legitimate reasons, like lack of majors, etc. That is unless you want to "special" your dog, which is what I am planning on doing. I, like most people just have to work and save for the things that I want and that are important to me.
And finally, congratulation on you next litter.

Congratulations Delores in becoming grandma once again........I am sure they will go fast :thumbup:

On a side note, I'd hate to have any dog be considered a cull-especially one from reputable breeders..... It's such a derrogatory word..... If the dogs that show breeders don't keep and sell are considerd "cull"......I'd hate to think what mine is considered :(

ok, what is a "cull"? I hope it's not what I think it is! :confused:

Congratulations DEE- I can't wait to see the little little farts:D

Adapted From: WordNet 2.0 Copyright 2003 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

cull
A noun
1 cull, reject

the person or thing rejected or set aside as inferior in quality


noun

1. An act of culling.
2. An inferior animal eliminated from the herd, flock, etc.

cull means different things to different people and regions. there was a huge thread on the word about a year ago. Cull, here in kentucky simply means a dog that the person has decided not to keep for one reason or another. Such as, when show breeders or anyone else for that matter, hold dogs back and they don't turn out the way they expected, those dogs are 'culled' from that show breeders program. removed and they are placed with some one else. just as i said, it means different things in different areas. here in kentucky, it isn't a bad word at all.

I guess it's like mutt.............it means mixed to me and not mongrel like to others.

that's right. i think people get offended over a lot of things and words that are just cultural differences. thanks for your compliments and BTW, i already posted it but these puppies will not be for sale once born. already spoken for locally. i just wanted to share my joy with you guys.

ok ya'll sorry maybe i used the wrong word but i knew what it meant to me here in ky

i expected more out of you TEHEEEE;) :D

Mary Ann,

It is common for Show Breeders to use the term culling when sending non-show quality puppies to pet homes. This isn't a derogative term. Let me site some literature for you to read: 'The Joy of Breeding Your Own Show Dog' by Ann Seranne. Hardback version -- pg: 202 -- Chapter 9: Evaluating Puppies and Young Adults -- section title ' Culling a Litter'. 'The second culling should be done at around twelve weeks. Many faults begin to appear during the weaning and socializing periods, so that by the time a puppy is three months of age, the experienced breeder will be able to say, "Let that one go to a pet home." '

Definition from 'The American Heritage Dictionary'

cull - v. 1. To pick out from others; select 2. To gather; collect 3. Something picked out from others, especially something rejected because of inferior quality.

I find it silly for others to begin to attack people when they do not even understand the definition of the word they are attacking them on. I hope I've lessened the ignorance. :)

Whew! Just glad it wasn't what I thought it meant! :grin2:

Lol, sorry for being so serious. ;) **loosening up now**

thank you so much. I got my beautiful Silk, the first female I ever had, because a well know show breeder was 'culling' her adult females. And I don't consider myself a BYB. My dogs are in the living room :D LOL I researched for two years, bought Ceeby to be my tiny stud then purchased three adult females specifically to get started. i had a litter in august last year and one in late November. I have had one this year and thesee babies will make my second and last litter this year. i am not 'cranking out litters". my puppies are highly visable because ALL have been sold to YT members who post about their babies nearly every day so I must be doing something right.;)